VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University baseball team had another sophomore sign with a four-year school this past week in third baseman/outfielder Colton Evans (Henderson, Ky.) signing with NCAA Division II Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tenn.
"Carson-Newman is a place that felt like home," Evans said. "I really enjoyed the emphasis on faith and work-ethic that they establish in their programs. I enjoyed their program culture and the support each guy has for one another. It was a place where I believe I will grow not only as a baseball player, but also as a person."
Evans burst onto the VU baseball scene quickly as a freshman, taking over at third base in 2022, Evans would go on to rack up 81 hits as a freshman, playing him fifth All-Time in VU school history for hits in a single season.
Evans would end his freshman campaign with a .411 batting average, with 17 doubles, three home runs, 42 RBIs and 47 runs scored.
Evans came back this past season with another great season for the Trailblazers, batting .345 for the year with 59 hits, 13 doubles, a team-leading seven home runs and 50 RBIs after making the switch to playing in the outfield.
Evans ended his two-year VU career with an outstanding .380 career batting average, 140 career hits, 89 runs scored, 30 doubles, 10 home runs and 92 RBIs.
Evans was named Second-Team All-Conference twice as a member of the Trailblazers and earned First Team Academic All-American honors last season after finishing with a GPA of 4.00 during the 2021-22 academic year.
Evans is one of four Trailblazer baseball players who have announced where they will be playing next season, including Will Egger (Terre Haute, Ind.) (Missouri Baptist), Gavin Craggs (Taylorville, Ill.) (U. of Fort Lauderdale) and Colin Long (Evansville, Ind.) (Indiana University-Southeast).
Together, this group helped guide the Trailblazers to a 25-33 record last season, earning a trip to the Mid-West Athletic Conference baseball tournament for the fourth straight season.
"My favorite memories at VU would have to be all of the van rides over my two years there," Evans added. "They were always a good time and something I will never forget. Getting to ride in Coach Hank's van was something I will always cherish."
"Vincennes University helped prepare me by figuring out the mentality it takes to be a college athlete," Evans said. "Throughout my years at VU, it was important to realize how balancing school and baseball is important. Vincennes was a good stepping stone to transition into a four-year school because of the smaller class sizes and the number of games in a college baseball season."
Evans will be joining an Eagles ball club coming off of a 25-23 season last year, the ninth-straight winning season for Carson-Newman and seventh year of 25 or more wins during that span.
Carson-Newman University is an NCAA Division II baseball program, which plays in the South Atlantic Conference.
The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Colton Evans on his signing with Carson-Newman University and wishes him good luck next season.